“No Movement” On Deal For Trent Richardson
July 21, 2012Roberto Hernandez Gets Visa, Will Be In Cleveland This Weekend And Then Serve 3-Week MLB Suspension
July 21, 2012
LeBron James made a choice.
It may have been a conscious decision to take the night off, or a subconscious acquiescence to an inexorable force that he simply didn’t think was worth fighting. Whatever happened in Game 5 against the Boston Celtics in 2010, however the hell it went down, LeBron James, at some point, decided that he couldn’t, or wouldn’t, play his best.
That choice, that decision, that night dogged him. In Cleveland, he was a quitter. In every game he lost after that, he was a choker. He “couldn’t close” or simply chose not to, ceding things to some other less-talented teammate. He was afraid to force the action and get fouled because he couldn’t hit free throws under pressure. He was afraid to take the big shot. He couldn’t make the big shot.
This was beyond Skip Bayless carnival barking on the set of First and Ten. This was the narrative that dogged LeBron James. To the media and general public it served, it became a part of his existence as a basketball player, just as much as his incredible athleticism and statistical output.
——-
Dan Gilbert made a choice. The Cavaliers owner decided to write a comic sans screed, taking dead aim at his former franchise player and looking to move the spurned hometown faithful. It’s often said that he wasn’t writing that letter for a national audience, to throw his name in the story; but rather, he was writing it for the fanbase of his franchise, a letter intended for Northeast Ohio zip codes only.
No matter the intent or audience, that letter will dog Gilbert for the duration of his public life in the NBA. The perception and narrative have been set, the die is cast.
There’s no need to re-litigate the merits of the letter. But the letter had and continues to have consequences. Whether the perception it has created is accurate or not, it’s the top-of-mind item that will color everything as soon as his name is inserted into a discussion.
Why is this relevant now? Because every time you hear the Cavaliers brought up in trade rumors either in a report, or an opinion inside the report, things are almost always extrapolated out to some point weighing Dan Gilbert’s perceived effect on the rumored deal.
This was most acute during the speculated three-team trade between the Cavs, Magic, and Nets. It’s applicable every time the Cavs come up — but what about Gilbert, what’s the consideration or angle we should give him on this one? With the cornucopia of draft picks and cap space, the Cavaliers are continually rumored as a trading partner. And Gilbert is a constant consideration.
A couple highlights from this month, as the Cavaliers were thrown into the Dwight Howard whirlwind. Adrian Wojnarowksi, perhaps the most well-known and respected NBA reporter, inked this during the Nets-Cavs epoch of the Dwight saga:
Several league executives with knowledge of the negotiations believe the small-market Cavaliers had become sensitive to criticism they were contributing to the construction of another big-market super power.
In the same week, Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio fired off this tweet:
When asked who nixed potential deal on Cavs’ end, agent said: “Dan Gilbert.” When asked if certain, agent said: “No. But I bet I’m right.”
— Sam Amico (@SamAmicoFSO) July 10, 2012
Wut? That’s somewhere between an equivocation and a blindfolded throw at a dartboard.
This is not necessarily unique to Gilbert. Plenty of owners have their reputations — Phoenix’s Robert Sarver, Chicago’s Jerry Reinsdorf, New York’s James Dolan. It’s just that the perception of Gilbert lords over everything they do, and the perception, by and large, stems from the comic sans missive.
There was plenty of hand-wringing and worry when Gilbert first bought the team — fears that a slickster hands-on owner would squander the LeBron James experience with a series of reactionary and hasty moves, much like another pro sports owner named Dan who presides over the NFL franchise in Washington. Gilbert came on the scene somewhat loudly and cleaned house, shipping off Paul Silas. But he generally stayed out of things and by all accounts, tried to model his franchise after the San Antonio Spurs, hiring Danny Ferry and Mike Brown.
But now everything is viewed in comic sans font. He’s definitely acted out beyond the original letter, getting into unbecoming Twitter tiffs with bloggisists. Then there was last year’s letter, where he denounced the Hornets trade of Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Lakers, calling it a “travesty” and invoking the Washington Generals. He was largely seen as one of the driving forces perpetuating the lockout, playing hardball and stalling a season — another perception he had to combat.
The Cavaliers are trying to move on from the messiness of all this, and the loss of the greatest player in franchise history. They’re generally a well-run franchise and in great shape, with a new hope and a new face. But that narrative surrounding their owner will remain.
LeBron had a far greater ability to control or change his narrative. Dan Gilbert can take on onerous contracts in an attempt to add assets (which basically worked out as well as it could in the Baron Davis trade). Unfairly or not, Gilbert will have to live with the consequences of the perception that’s stuck over the past two years. The discussion of LeBron’s “legacy” prompted much of his narrative. Gilbert is an owner, and his legacy doesn’t matter all that much outside of Cleveland, so winning won’t necessarily change how he’s viewed.
What’s hard to swallow, however, is if that persona and perception start to negatively impact trades. Jason Lloyd, who’s about as plugged-in as you can get on the Cavaliers side, brought a tempered perspective and threw some cold water on the notion that “super team” considerations affected the rumored Nets trade:
I have tremendous respect for @WojYahooNBA, but completely disagree #Cavs were sensitive to criticisms over trade. They simply didn’t like the deal in front of them. Period.
That’s almost certainly closer to reality than some league executive’s speculation. For LeBron, the reality was that he won countless games in the final minutes of his career, most of them wearing a Cavs uniform and pushing them across the finish line with a W. But the narrative and perception became something wholly different, zoning in on every little thing that would fulfill the preconceived notions and fill out the story.
In reality, Gilbert is likely not affecting potential trade scenarios. But it helps fill out why rumored deals with tons of obstacles never get beyond a reporter’s Twitter feed or Sulia thingy. The outside perception, however, in both the media and executive offices around the league, will remain. Here’s hoping that doesn’t actually become a reason why a team won’t, or can’t complete deal. If it is, those are just some of the consequences Gilbert will have to live with for his choices.
79 Comments
Not to be flip but who cares? Really? Cavs fans don’t. It’s really about as uninteresting of a topic as you could pick esp as you say, the only people who seem to have a problem w/him, i.e., some national media, are not going to have their minds changed about him. This article illcits a giant “meh” from me…
Good article Brendan. I like Gilbert because he wants to win, and the team he owns is in Cleveland. He gets a lot of crap for that letter from outsiders, but it was a product of his passion. I like that passion.
Cavs fans care about their owner and his reputation. It’s a constant topic of conversation and debate. If his past actions and the reputation those actions have created are negatively affecting his team’s ability to attract players or work out deals with teams he’s miffed, that matters.
This is a fantastic article. Nice job!
What would Dan Gilbert’s reputation be if he didn’t write the letter? Another question, do you suppose that the letter may have strengthen Dan Gilbert’s position in the NBA?
like button.
His reputation wouldn’t have taken such a hit he let his emotions cloud his judgment and because of it, like Andrew writes, he’s still paying a price. The question is will his checkbook be able to overcome that price. And no it didn’t strengthen his position in the NBA at all.
It certainly didn’t help I agree. The sad part was how unnecessary his letter was it was just a huge mistake.
Very thoughtful article. I have no problem with Gilbert’s letter, or Gilbert as an owner. He may have his faults, but wouldn’t you like to see someone with Gilbert’s passion (and deep pockets) owning the Indians or Browns? I’m convinced that the Cavs will be the next Cleveland team to win a championship. That committment comes from the top.
Maybe amongst the cadre of Cavs fans you know but the vast majority if Cavs fans support Gilbert pretty clearly. And I think it’s ridiculous and even naive to think anything but money matters in getting FA’s. Just read a quote the other day from an anomalous FA who said money matters most for nearly every player. Even Nash said how much yr paid in the NBA is seen as your true worth as a player! See also the player response to Lin’s deal for the sort of thing I’m talking about. In other words, there is zero evidence that Gilbert is a problem for the Cavs in signing FA yet the media writes articles about it. Shall I expect a story on the Lake Erie Monster soon from WFNY?
What price has paid, exactly??? Other than vitriol form talking heads??? Show me some EVIDENCE!!
Excellent article Brendan
I’d just like to add that if guys are willing to play for notorious racist and slum lord Donald Sterling, then I highly doubt Gilbert’s comic sans missive plays any role in players willingness to come here. I suspect is has more to do with the reporters’ need to fill space with something interesting.
In case you haven’t noticed, and judging by so many people complaining about Dolan, you haven’t, Cleveland (all 3 teams) has the damnedest time getting ANY free agents to consider coming here. Offering the most money, the chance to play alongside the best player in the game? Doesn’t matter. Cleveland has a terrible reputation across the nation. We simply cannot afford to offer anyone else another reason not to come here. Yeah, maybe Gilbert’s childish tantrums are further down the list of reasons, but it’s still a reason. Shamrock is absolutely right here, for as much as we love that Gilbert stuck up for us, all that Gilbert should be doing is spending that money that Lebron brought into the franchise. Keep buying draft picks like you did with the Baron Davis trade, and hope you keep getting lucky with them. Otherwise, just shut up and drop the Napoleon Complex.
Deep pockets thanks to Lebron and a favorable leaguewide salary/revenue sharing structure.
Passion is good, but level-headedness is better. Everything is pretty easy when Lebron is guaranteeing you home court in the first round. Now Gilbert has to show he has any clue what he’s actually doing.
The way Gilbert is perceived, his reputation and things of that sort is what I was eluding to in my above comment. The talking heads have shredded him and continue to do so especially now that James has won a championship. The guarantee in that letter by Gilbert was the biggest mistake IMO.
I can’t believe how Dan Gilbert has you guys played like a fool. The guy writes a letter because he lost a ton of money and sounds like a complete moron and you say he was doing it for you and he was defending a city. I can’t stand Lebron but how can you guys not see how stupid he sounded in the letter and how it was a reactionary response to losing hundreds of millions of dollars. I hope if he could take it back he would because the letter sounded stupid and made cleveland fan base look like an idiot.
I doubt Dan Gilbert is losing any sleep over James and the letter. Nor do I see him or any of the Cavs players acting embarrassed that the Heat won. From my perspective, he might be clinging onto certain pieces, but for the most part, he has already moved on and put more focus on building a Cavs team that can win championships. I wouldn’t be surprised if he considers anyone who continues to linger over past events that provides no benefit now, as foolish individuals who won’t succeed because they’re stuck in the past.
This too. Even if the letter doesn’t actually prevent one player from turning down the Cavs, it looks bad on everyone in this town. We’re Cleveland, we’re supposed to be tough. We pick ourselves up by the bootstraps when things don’t go our way. We don’t whine about it.
Trying to set me up in a negative light doesn’t work, floydrubino. This now proves that you have no intelligence.
I love Gilbert and I still have no qualms with the Comic Sans letter. It demonstrated that we actually have an owner who cares, which is in and of itself an incredible thing. But more specifically, when it came up in the midst of the despair that was the night of the decision, it made me feel so, so much better. I’ll never forget the feelings of hope, happiness, and pride I had when I saw that letter featured on ESPN in the aftermath of that horrible night. It made me a loyal defender of Dan forever.
When your two year old has a tantrum because his toy was taken away is your first reaction “oh, its good that he really cares”? No, because a tantrum is not a constructive reaction. The only way Dan Gilbert can prove he cares about this town, and not taking its money thanks to Lebron and the casino, is to work relentlessly to get the pieces that this team needs to win a championship. Like I said above, more action, like the Baron Davis trade, less talk.
Yup, I generally refuse to entertain the notion of replying to your posts given that they are usually uninformed/nonsensical…but I couldn’t let this one past.
“And I think it’s ridiculous and even naive to think anything but money matters in getting FA’s.”
Well, I won’t bother enumerating the countless player transactions over the last few years that have had less to do with money than other factors.
But please, consider this hypothetical…what if two (or several) teams can offer the same money? Let’s say next summer the Rockets, Mavs, and Cavs can all offer Bynum the same exact max deal per the conditions of the recently agreed upon CBA.
So money doesn’t matter, because he’s getting a max deal. What then? How does he decide then? By whose money is greener?
you are weird
We also don’t sit back and take it. Gilbert reminds me of Steinbrenner expects loyalty and expects to win. I for one would have it no other way!!!
Perception I guess is reality. 12-15years ago this city was FA central. Robbie Alomar, Andre Rison, and Shawn Kemp (don’t laugh they were top notch at the time).
“Having the best player in the game”? It has been proven ad nauseum that Lebron did not take part in recruiting FA’s, let alone promising to stay if they signed.
Lets get something straight, the Cavs didn’t actually make gobs of money during the Lebron era because they were over the tax and paid out the nose for average talent teams. I would bet the most profitable year of Gilberts era was the year Lebron left and people sold out the Gund while he had a skeleton payroll.
I love that everyone in this area is great at pennypinching when it comes to their own dollars (don’t go to Indians/Browns/Cavs games!!!!) but can spend owners money so freely.
Had Gilbert not written his letter there would be 50% of the population screaming that he laid down for Lebron. The fact is Cleveland sports are very much like the French Revolution. where the fans have become so nonsensical that no answer will ever be acceptable.
truth is its a no win situation but I’m with Gilbert on this.I love that we have an owner that WANTS to win not just make a profit (see the Indians ownership)
So what? Gilbert has demonstrated he is willing to invest in his franchise. Too bad the Dolans don’t feel the same way. All we get from them are excuses.
totally agree
Something wrong, lunch? We’re you confusing Steve’s name with your own?
I didn’t lose any sleep either that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a mistake ranting like a fan. I’d wanna move on and try to forget it as well if I was him unfortunately the only thing that will help erase it is if his team starts winning and I don’t just mean games. Until then he’ll carry this monkey on his back just like LeBron did not being able to win when it mattered the most.
“Gilbert is an owner, and his legacy doesn’t matter all that much outside of Cleveland, so winning won’t necessarily change how he’s viewed.”
I’m sorry, Brendan, I think this is all such Cleveland self-loathing and worry about what others think (and I hated his comic sans). Your claim that reputations are hard to change is patently false; they change on a dime and sometimes multiple times in a career (owners Steinbrenner, Rooney, Modell; executive: Gabe Paul; player … that talented but fear-of-clutch dude that used to play here). No one you’ve quoted indicates that what anyone has written has affected or will affect the Cavs moves one bit.
Please, enough, stop the weird municipal angst about what others think. If Grant is making the right picks and Scott is a good coach and Gilbert still has his fortune, we’ll win and good players interested in a ring will want to come here. Do they avoid Dallas where an abrasive, meddling, attention-seeking nutcase owns the team?
Sorry!
Gilbert is a Billionaire with a B. Lebron at very most might have added 50 to 100 million to team value which would only matter if he sold before Lebron retired. On an annual basis Lebron added very little to Cavs revenue, ticket sales only. What he has paid in reduced salary these last few years more then make up for that. He didn’t lose a penny with Lebron leaving and even if he did it was a penny to a billionaire.
I don’t know where you get your info from but when lebron left the cavalies value dropped 26% according to forbes. I think I will take their word over yours. So I guess when someone loses over a hundred million they just take it in stride. I don’t blame Gilbert for going crazy but he should of handled his response better because this is a league where you have to develop good relationships with the players so they will ultimately want to play for you. Not only did the team take a huge hit but he was planning on having downtown cleveland buzzing with lebron fever to use to cash in at casinos after the games. Your right he didn’t lose a penny. He lost over a hundred million dollars. You sound smart. Look it up under cleveland cavaliers value on forbes if you want to confirm.
Again, that only means anything if he had any intention of actually realizing the loss. Maybe he was going to sell off some more minority stakes, but selling off the controlling interest not bloody likely. Players are expiring goods like the value of the sides of meat in a butcher’s cooler. They add value to the business but they’re not actually the business in the long term. At least not until owner’s negotiate studding rights in the next CBA 😉
Dan Gilbert probally regrets his letter in some ways but in others I’m sure he is happy it got out there!!! The guy is good for Cleveland, he is putting money back into the city and cares about winning.
Just to let you know without question Lebron James and maybe Peyton Manning were the 2 most important people to the value of their franchise in the history of sports. Maybe 1 or 2 more but for small market teams they have been the most critical ever and you guys are funny trying to minimize it. If you can’t figure out how important lebron was to the team’s value then there is nothing more I can say to you. When lebron left cleveland he took 26% of the team value overnight. He added 17% value to the miami heat overnight. Imagine Cleveland’s value would of been if lebron stayed and brought a championship here. If lebron stays and plays for cleveland for another 7 years you are talking about 6 to 8 hundred million dollars lost by the cavs in his playing career. Then with the championships won he sets the team up to have popularity for even 3 or 4 years after he leaves so 10 years minimum we missed out on gaining in value. But go ahead and be like no big deal. I’m sure business people are lining up with your natural business savvy and instincts because it’s obvious your talking with no facts to back up and it’s just your opinion with no knowledge. Now I know why Gilbert constantly gets away with these basketball decisions because most of you guys are clueless.
Alomar wanted to play with his brother, Rison was judged to be, and rightfully so, too hot to touch, and Kemp was traded here. Fine, we can get guys to come in special circumstances or when no one else wants them. Fantastic.
Lebron’s presence alone should have been a good recruiting tool. Guys are lining up to play with him now to get one last shot at a ring.
Yeah, that probably was Gilbert’s most profitable year. That doesn’t mean he didn’t make money hand over fist when he had Lebron. The value of the franchise changed by $100 million depending on if Lebron was there or not. That’s a reflection of the amount of money the team can bring in.
I agree that the fans have become nonsensical, but they eat up every word that Gilbert says, despite few of them being worth anything at all.
Throwing a tantrum in comic sans font does not mean you want to win more than the next guy.
Gilbert has shown he is willing to invest in his franchise after Lebron has made him a ton of money. We’ll see what happens as times get tougher.
That letter was not fighting back. That was a bunch of ‘woe is me’. Steinbrenner did little to show he knew what he was doing. His constant meddling hurt the Yankees more than helped. It was the cities deep pockets that made the difference, not him.
“On an annual basis Lebron added very little to Cavs revenue”
This is mind-bogglingly dumb.
I’m not sure you quite understand how business valuations are calculated. Why don’t you sit out for the next round champ.
i saw it more as a statement on how he wasn’t gonna let one player stop us from winning and that he would do whatever it took to put a championship team on the court. its all in the perseption
steve really? how WC championships did the old man have? he knew how to win
Talk is cheap. Actions matter. I’m not impressed that Gilbert can insult Lebron. I’ll be impressed when Gilbert proves he can actually build a championship team.
WC championships? What? And he had New York money to spend. When he let smarter baseball guys than him spend it, they did well. When he got involved in the decision making, he was more focused on whether he had hired or fired Billy Martin last week, or picking Sheffield and Vazquez over Guerrero. The guy didn’t know jack about winning baseball games. He just had a lot of money.
I f you buy a franchise to make money your buying one for the wrong reasons. I buy tools to make money so I can buy a fast car. I don’t buy the fast car and use it to make money. A franchise is a toy
exactly and that is what hes doing backing up his mouth with his checkbook. Successful people learn from mistakes and that is what he’s done. Unlike the Dolans who seem to think if they just keep recycling the same crap the results will change